HUMMELS WHARF -- While many consumers may not be feeling the effects of the bleak economic conditions directly, it's certainly on their minds as they shop this holiday season.

Becky and Bobby Webster, of Lykens, said they haven't really been hurt by the recession.

"Not yet anyway," Mr. Webster said.

Still, they're being as frugal as they can this Christmas.

"Normally, if we see it, we'll just grab it," said Mrs. Webster as she and her husband walked through the Susquehanna Valley Mall with their 13-month-old daughter Leah Sunday. This year "we've been very careful ... We're kind of shopping for bargains," making lists for everyone they're buying for and sticking to them.

Sticking to a budget is really the key, according to Jill and Bill Walker, of Mount Pleasant Mills.

"You set a limit and you spend that," Mr. Walker said. "We budget. That's the biggest thing."

Mr. and Mrs. Walker said they haven't really changed their holiday shopping habits this year, nor have any of their friends.

"We're just watching the sales and just taking advantage of the deals the stores are offering," Mrs. Walker said. "We're very thrifty"

Doris and Jerry Lambert, of Shinglehouse, stopped at the mall on their way back from visiting family in Virginia and said even though the sour economy doesn't seem to have affected them, they're still playing it safe.

"We changed a little bit. We cut down on the amount of gifts were giving and how much we're spending," said Mrs. Lambert. "You don't want to be caught red-handed if something worse happens (to the economy)."

Mrs. Lambert said she and her husband almost always make gifts for people and recommended it as a way to save money but still show you care.

"It's not the amount of money you spend," she said.

And while they may be shopping on a tighter budget, Mrs. Webster said their friends and family will still be happy Christmas morning.

"It's hitting everybody the same," she said. "I want to make sure (the gifts) are something everyone's going to want."